Fearing that women suicide bombers may strike, the Mumbai police have issued an alert asking its force to be on the lookout for possible suspects.

Fearing that women suicide bombers may strike, the Mumbai police have issued an alert asking its force to be on the lookout for possible suspects.

The alert issued by Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Himanshu Roy on January 27 says:

“Women are generally not suspected to be involved in any kind of illegal activity.”

The alert, which is in Marathi, also includes instructions for policemen to be on a lookout for women terrorists and steps to be taken not just to prevent an attack but also to safeguard themselves.

The one-page letter, a copy of which is with the Hindustan Times, also says: “Terrorists may try to take advantage of the fact that women are generally allowed to pass through check points without a thorough check and may try to use them as cover to pass check points.”

Roy’s letter instructs that women constables and officers also be present at these check points.

Roy refused to comment on the alert, which warns that police check points could be targeted by suicide bombers and tells policemen on duty at checkpoints to wear bulletproof jackets and bulletproof helmets.

“They should also carry automatic weapons to repulse any kind of attack,” the alert says.

The circular also asks policemen to be alert for suspicious persons with Pakistani accents and check such persons thoroughly.